Euro 2012: time for England to throw off their shackles

They keep hoping, keep hunting high and low. The English are at it again,
continuing the quest for a trophy that now stretches 46 years, back to a
time when the green, green grass of home belonged to Alf Ramsey as well as
Tom Jones and it was not just the Beach Boys enjoying good vibrations.
England shook with pride and joy.

Not all there: Wayne Rooney (centre) has travelled with England although suspended for their opening two Euro 2012 fixtures, a major blow to their hopes of reaching the knockout stagesPhoto: AP

Since those heady days, England have become Phileas Fogg with a kitbag, travelling the world, looking everywhere from Leon to Lisbon for the glittering prizes. One would do. Just one. Even France did two on the spin. Even England’s opening Euro foe and not as obsessed a footballing nation boast a far superior record. England have gone close since 1966, flirting with glory in Turin at Italia 90 and at Wembley at Euro 96 but a loss of nerve from 12 yards cost them dear.

The only quality the English have taken off the French is déjà vu.

Yet still the players dream, three lions on a shirt. Still the fans turn up in their thousands, three lemmings on a shirt. Even with a recession, saving up for Brazil 2014 and concerns about racism and prices in Ukraine, England supporters follow the team. Some talk of Lady Luck’s cruelty, of callous officials making bad calls and upset stomachs and snapped metatarsals shredding tournament ambitions, but the problems lie within. England trip up on old fault-lines in possession and in discipline, tactically and temperamentally. The absence of their best attacker, Wayne Rooney, against France and then Sweden is a substantial, self-inflicted setback.

Even when they take a lead, England can sit deep, creatures of caution. They just need to overcome the initial fear factor that always accompanies them, banishing the ghost of days gone by. They must hit the ground running. They must somehow cut off the service to France’s fluid triumvirate of Franck Ribéry, Karim Benzema and Samir Nasri, three musketeers and masters of the flèche attack, all timing and sharp hits. To survive this potential ordeal in Donetsk, England know that communication, passing runners on, will be key. So will concentration.

One slip by Glen Johnson and Ribéry will be away. Benzema is all stealthy, predatory movement, a panther in blue. Nasri knows the English well. England are aware of the mistral blowing their way.

The last time they faced France in the Euros in Lisbon eight years ago, poor concentration by Emile Heskey gifted Zinedine Zidane a free-kick equalizer before Steven Gerrard’s ill-considered back-pass allowed Thierry Henry in. David James fouled him. Zidane applied the coup de grace from the spot. England recovered, escaping the group, but the message from Euro 2004, and the Wembley friendly in 2010 when Benzema and Nasri were unstoppable, was a clear one.

A draw in Donetsk would be a thoroughly acceptable result for England as defeat is highly possible. Such a reverse would raise the stakes even higher for Sweden in Kiev on June 15 which will doubtless be the usual tight, tough affair, doubtless another draw. England may need to win their final game with the hosts Ukraine to qualify. At least Rooney returns.

Even if England reach the quarters, Spain probably lie in wait. Only the world and European champions. The whole competition appears set up for a Spain versus Germany final. Holland, Poland and Russia may surprise a few but the smart Euros, Zloti, and Hryvnia are on the Germans.

The sizeable Bayern Munich contingent of Joachim Low’s side are smarting at what happened in the Champions League final. Bastian Schweinsteiger, Philipp Lahm, Manuel Neuer and Thomas Muller are formidable competitors. Real Madrid’s Mesut Ozil can be a star of the Euros. A tournament truism, never back against the Germans, rings true again. If this generation of Germans do prevail it will merely confirm the wisdom of much-needed internal developments within English football. The Germans revamped their youth structure, working with Bundesliga clubs and ordering more small-sided games and training up more coaches. The FA has followed suit, although the reforms will not bear fruit for a decade.

For those many cynics suggesting that England should have left the bus in short-stay at Luton, a few reasons can be found for an extended stay. Roy Hodgson knows how to organize a side, drilling the team defensively. Gary Neville works hard on ensuring the mood is right. England will not concede many goals at the Euros, especially with Joe Hart in goal. England are a strange fish: fearful yet impassioned. It is possible to question many qualities of this England squad but not their desire.

Spend only a minute in the company of Hart, Gerrard or Scott Parker and the will to win is obvious. Tyros like Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Danny Welbeck are hungry to take on Europe’s best.

The controversial John Terry craves success. Ashley Cole has won the majors with Chelsea and covets a trophy with England. Andy Carroll will respect few reputations of those marking him. The slight shyness to Leighton Baines still cannot mask his appetite for victory. Phil Jagielka is determined to make the most of his return to the land of his forefathers. But the search for honours will continue. England are not good enough.